Blues v Crusaders
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Rieko isn’t getting the space to get free at 13, and is quite unable consistently to choose the right option, let alone execute. On a few occasions he passed, or tried to, when catching and taking the tackle the best alternative.
If Telea and him changed places on attack the Blues would score a lot more tries. -
@pakman said in Blues v Crusaders:
Rieko isn’t getting the space to get free at 13, and is quite unable consistently to choose the right option, let alone execute. On a few occasions he passed, or tried to, when catching and taking the tackle the best alternative.
If Telea and him changed places on attack the Blues would score a lot more tries.I'd be interested to see what Telea does in the midfield as well, Ioane has had more than enough time to prove his worth and experience at centre.
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@Nepia 💯..the eye colour patch always gets in the way of a good debate
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@Nepia said in Blues v Crusaders:
The funniest thing about this thread is how many posters now consider that Super rugby form actually counts for AB selection.
Yeah, it's very selective.
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@Steven-Harris said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Nepia 💯..the eye colour patch always gets in the way of a good debate
Gets worse every year haha.
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@Mr-Fish said in Blues v Crusaders:
I'm reasonably confident that Cam Christie will be picked in the July squad.
He's looked handy that's for sure, but are the selectors adventurous enough?
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@Crazy-Horse said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Mr-Fish said in Blues v Crusaders:
I'm reasonably confident that Cam Christie will be picked in the July squad.
He's looked handy that's for sure, but are the selectors adventurous enough?
I like him too but he ain't anywhere near selection yet.
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@African-Monkey said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Crazy-Horse said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Mr-Fish said in Blues v Crusaders:
I'm reasonably confident that Cam Christie will be picked in the July squad.
He's looked handy that's for sure, but are the selectors adventurous enough?
I like him too but he ain't anywhere near selection yet.
Ironic that if Blackadder is injured, it makes it that much harder for any other loosie to make the (initial) squad.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Bones said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Darth-Sader said in Blues v Crusaders:
@sparky said in Blues v Crusaders:
@kev said in Blues v Crusaders:
Reiko’s ball security must be an issue for the ABs
I've been a fan for years.
But based on his recent performances, unless there is a dramatic improvement in his standards, he shouldn't be anywhere near an AB squad.
Is he even the best centre in the Blues squad?
Clarke and Ioane need to swap positions.
I am not sure a centre that trips over himself will be all that effective.
But at least he'll be able to pass it while he's tripping over. Rieko might even catch it occasionally.
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@African-Monkey said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Crazy-Horse said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Mr-Fish said in Blues v Crusaders:
I'm reasonably confident that Cam Christie will be picked in the July squad.
He's looked handy that's for sure, but are the selectors adventurous enough?
I like him too but he ain't anywhere near selection yet.
The selectors clearly weren't overly impressed with last year's bunch, nor the injury cover they brought in when the likes of Papali'i and Jacobson went down towards the end of the season.
I'd be very surprised if there isn't a new name in that loose forward group come July and Christie is exactly the type of player that Robertson likes.
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@Mr-Fish said in Blues v Crusaders:
I'm reasonably confident that Cam Christie will be picked in the July squad.
as a 6? Or shorter backup lock?
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@nostrildamus as a 6, I would think.
Barrett, Vaa'i, Lord, Holland and Tuipulotu will likely contest four locking berths between them (realistically one of them will be injured), though Darry might make a return in time to push his case.
Savea and Blackadder (inevitably, assuming he's free from injury) will take two of the loose forward spots. Sititi will probably jump straight back in assuming he's fit. Beyond those three, Papali'i, Jacobson and Lakai are probably competing for one or two spots (one might be enough, with Savea and Blackadder both openside options), which leaves room for another two loosies - could be a straight shoot-out between Finau, Christie and maybe Haig.
Crystal-ball gazing this early in the season of course.
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@Nepia said in Blues v Crusaders:
The funniest thing about this thread is how many posters now consider that Super rugby form actually counts for AB selection.
It doesn’t. Sotutu is a lock for the ABs this year.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Nepia said in Blues v Crusaders:
The funniest thing about this thread is how many posters now consider that Super rugby form actually counts for AB selection.
It doesn’t. Sotutu is a lock for the ABs this year.
A lock? Well it doesn't matter how good he is, those Cantablack coaches won't select him at 8.
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@Bones I can see Beehre getting a shot but not McWhannell. With four or five 'experienced' options in the mix I imagine the selectors will go for a young gun, even if they aren't in especially impressive form, knowing they can mould them into a long-term All Black.
